My Mum was a small kid from near Königsberg, when they had to flee to Germany, in the icy cold winter of 1945.
On the Gustloff they had 3 places left and my Grandma came with 7 surviving kids.
She decided to wait in the icy cold wind with "the Russians" arriving soon, but they waited for the next ship to stay together, hello, that´s why I´m here, right decision she made.
The Gustloff "sank".
The Russians knew there were only refugees on board and shot the ship anyways.
Or because, who knows, we all have a bad history in some places...
I had the nicest chat with a Russian woman on a train ride from Munich to Hannover, just saying...
All my life my family certainly still never ever wasted food, and so I cannot, either.
Ingo cannot understand that.
Ingo had to take off of work for two weeks, but I bought tomatoes anyways.
He did not eat them, these are weird times, I did not, either.
They looked down on me from high up in the fridge, wrinkling faces even more every day.
Now.
Ingo cannot have anything cooked in hot oil. Better no onions.
Jamie Oliver, I thank you so big for teaching me how to cook, saying, "you can do it this way, or try yours!"
I mixed something up, made ketchup, I think it´s tasty.
And I know what´s in there!
If ... when the weather warms up - only 3C right now! - and Ingo likes it, I´ll never buy ketchup again!
Shoot.
I forgot to put some mustard in it.
Just sugar, as Ingo wanted, then I thought these might be good: ginger, cinammon, harissa, vinegar... beer :-)
Mixed it up et, voilà.
And he liked it, too!
He had to "teach" me how to get it stored for the freezer, oh, Mum.
Clever way, huh, I never guessed of this!
In cooking, Jamie and Ingo are my Mums ;-)
Or chefs!!!
Yes, I put it in the freezer. Too cold yet to have a bbq.
Mum bought meat when it was on discount and froze it. Now... reckon the costs for keeping the freezer running were higher. I do not do that.
But the tomatoes looked happy in the pan, no more wrinkled faces from above, saying "EAT ME!!!!"
Still cold enough for tea and THIS one is sooooo yummy!!!
Liquorice & Spearmint!
Art-wise, an advice:
Another 60-90-seconds sketch (This is what it´s all about):
Taking part in Elizabeth and Bleubeard´s "T Stands For Tuesday".
And the Lions of the day?
Kids, parents, uncles, aunts, granmas and -pas, sisters and brothers, stay safe!
47 comments:
Es ist immer gut Nichts zu verschwenden. Ich liebe Tomaten frisch, und Ketchup und Saucen sind nicht mein Ding. Dafür war mein Hund immer verrückt nach Ketchup. Und meine Enkelkinder konnten auch nie genug bekommen. Dir einen schönen Tag, bleibe gesund! Valerie
Ein Hund, der Ketchup mag?! Das hab ich ja noch nie gehört! Wahrscheinlich wollte er dir nur sagen, "rück rüber mit Fleisch"!
Ich bin auch kein Fan von Fertig-Ketchup, aber so könnte es gehen!
Dir einen schönen Tag, hoffentlich ein Wärmerer als hier, GlG, Iris
I love licorice tea, but without the spearmint. I put spearmint with chamomile or sage or sometimes all three together.
When I freeze sauces, I use shallow plastic containers, like a sandwich lunchbox, so the sauce is in a thin layer to thaw faster when I want to use it. I also sometimes use a zip-loc baggie. put the sauce in, gently squeeze out the air, then "zip" it closed and lay it flat in the freezer, then a nice flat thin layer to thaw quickly. And being flat, many layers can be frozen in a small space.
Hmm, thank you, that is a good idea with flat!
And will work with a zip-bag, too. Let´s see, at first we need BBQ-weather!
Oh, LOL, I had to look up "chamomile"! Help, we call it Kamille.
Now I am so amazed and impressed on your homemade ketchup! I grow up being one ketchup monster and I put it on EVERYTHING! But never have I tried making my own ketchup. It's super cute that you put it on a mug! haha
Oh and did you sketch that art? That is so beautiful! It's hard to show emotion in art without a face in it but you did it with perfect body languages! Love it!
Hugs my dear friend Iris, Tuesday is here!
Stevenson, LOL. A ketchup monster!
It´s so dang easy to make ketchup, give it a try!
Yes, those sketches I did when I was studying. It was FUN.
But faces are hard and when you have but 60-90 seconds you better skip that ;-)
In architecture it´s just important to estimate how much room a body needs.
Hugs and to a great ketchup-Tuesday ;-)
Congratulations on experimenting with cooking and using up your tomatoes! I've made my own ketchup (only we call it tomato sauce) for years now, and much prefer it to purchased sauce. The bonus is you also know exactly what is in it :)
Yes, it´s easy to make, you know what´s in there and it does not take longer than walking to the store and stand in queue endlessly! :-)
Homemade ketchup ... yummy 😋
Why don't you start drawing? You were very good at it!
Today I am lazy and leave ... with everything! Tomorrow will be better!
A little big hug for 🐘 … sorry, I mean you! LOL
xoxo
...I don't know a lot about my families background, but I doubt that it's as difficult as your Mum and Grandma's!
Ella... I have the perfect excuse: You don´t wanna see Ingo naked and I have no other models. ;-)
Today I´ll make tomatoe sauce for pizza, much better, huh?
Sorry you feel lazy, I´m freezing over here. Too lazy to turn on the heating, only 11C outside...
To a better tomorrow and a little BIG hug from... the one who does not visit a China-shop ;-)
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Tom, I only got bits and pieces also.
Being half-German sure brings some difficulties in history.
But it´s history. All turned out well, no one died by war crimes in my family.
Covid-19 has made me make sure I eat all of my leftovers, and don't throw anything away. I wasn't wasteful before covid-19, but there were times I wouldn't finish all of my leftovers. I've changed that behavior now. Nice sketch. Happy T-Day!
"Corinna" gets some good :-)
More old tomatoes to use up to make pizza, a good excuse, huh.
A happy T-day to you!
I also never ever waste food! And I love Jamie, he is the best, love his books and shows☺
Oh that ketchup sounds way better than the kind you buy. And yes, you know what is in it. I think when tomatoes in my garden ripen later this summer I am going to try this. Hope you have a super T day. Hugs-Erika
Natalia, yes! Just... I don´t need his books anymore! But I live when he cooks with Genarro :-)
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Erika, yes, now I´m off to make pizza sauce.
If I ever knew how easy it is!
A happy T-day and hugs to you!
Sorry, Iris. I hate ketchup. Don't ask me why, it just tastes terrible to me. Even your homemade, although sounding better, sounds bad. I guess I don't like tomatoes that have been cooked. You did a good job, though, and I'm proud of you.
I also don't waste food. Since I can't get to the grocery store, I am using what I have, which is mostly canned goods. Last night I made pea salad, though, using peas, cheese, ranch dressing, and sour cream. No recipe, just what I had on hand.
Your sketches this week are wonderful and your lions are clever.
I love that tea. I make my own mint tea using what I have in my herb garden, but I don't have any licorice. It sounds great to me.
Thanks for sharing your grumpy tomatoes, your sketches, and your tea with us for T this Tuesday, dear. You sound better today.
Good morning, that is awesome that you made catsup!! if you can-that could be canned as well in a water bath canner.
Love your lions-hugs Happy T Kathy
Very Cool - Love The Lion-kids For Sure
Cheers
Elizabeth :-)
I´m not a fan, either, but this might work for me. Thank you for being so honest, you managed to make me lauf!
It´s the right way to go, I guess, be creative and use what you have!
Thank you, sketch and Henries are happy they please :-)
I just today asked my T when to start planting herbs and stuff, mid-May he said.
Guess whom I´m cutting to pieces right now - home-made pizzs is on the way.
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Kathy, it wasn´t that much, just three bags, a mystery to me!!!
But thank you for the idea, a happy T-day to you, too!
So good that you don't waste food. That's how I was raised too. We eat leftovers. I love it. Your ketchup is fun!
I hate wasting food too Iris. I can always find some way to use bits and pieces left, sometimes the results are better than others 😉 I haven't tried making tomato sauce though, well I guess I have in a way for pasta etc. It's good to have Ingo and Jamie helping you xox
Happy Whisk, yes, and it was sooo easy to do!
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Grace, the other day it was so bad I had to throw it away!
Yes, my chefs... well do I still need them even? ;-) xox
I'm with you on that. I don't waste food either. Your ketchup sounds lovely. I sometimes make my own sauce as store bought sauces have so much sugar in them! I have made tomato ketchup too, when we were on the diet and didn't eat sugar.
What a lovely story about your grandma. I remember from my history lessons that Konigsberg (now Kaliningrad) was German in those days.
I was going to tell you how I freeze my sauces and liquids flat, but someone else has already mentioned that.
I always enjoy seeing your drawings. Why don't you take up sketching again? It doesn't have to be a 90 second sketch. Take your time.
Happy T-Day,
Hugs,
Lisca
I do enjoy watching Jamie Oliver's shows. He is very creative with his meals- and they don't take forever to make either;) You made me laugh about the tomatoes- but well done on making homemade ketchup! My mother and her family come from rural France and with little means they didn't waste anything either.
Fantastic sketch work as usual. Happy T day!
I wish Jamie would come and cook for me! Most of his recipes that I try are real winners!
You've got mail! ♥️
Yes, it´s so easy to make your own ketchup/sause :-)
Königsberg was not German in 1945, my Grandma told me, they really did have to flee. It must´ve been tough times.
Flat freezing, I got it :-)
It´s really expensive to go to places where you can do those sketches. Sadly!
A happy T-day to you, and hugs from here :-)
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Linda, yes, a big horay to Jamie Oliver!
And a happy T-day, to our families!
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RedPat, I have some of his books and DVDs, but I really don´t need them anymore. A teacher is great when his job is.... nearly!... done :-)
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Ella, I´m at it :-)
Those tomatoes don't look grumpy anymore ...lol 😉. I enjoyed seeing how you made your BBQ sauce, I bet it taste delicious and using a mug to portion it up is a fabulous idea! I'm loving the lion family, stay safe and well too! Happy T Day wishes! Hugs, Jo x
Jo, thank you, it was sooo easy with the tomatoes, if I ever knew!!!
Now all we need is warm BBQ-weather! :-)
Yes, let´s stay safe, and a happy T-day to you, too! Hugs, Iris x
I would never have thought to use the grumpy tomatoes (😺) to make ketchup. And to freeze it! So clever. Like you said the best thing is you know what's in it. The lion family is so cute. Take care and Happy T Day
I am sorry your grandma and her children had such a difficult time in 1945, but as you say, things turned out for the better, as no one got killed. I never made tomato ketchup in my life, but your recipe sounds interesting. Usually, I just buy it at the store. Lol.
CJ it´s so easy to do!!! The Lions say so, too, stay safe, take care and a happy T-day :-)
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gigi, yes, those were hard times and I know how lucky I am...
I hope Ingo likes the ketchup and I have control over the ingredients!
Your sauce sounds delicious and it will taste so much better than the bottles we buy in the stores and you know the ingredients that went into its making.
I really enjoyed reading your post today.
Stay safe and keep well.
Yvonne xx
We freeze tomatoes after we cooked them. Save later for sauce and I love it. My wife's father (now deceased) grew up in Berlin back in the early 40s. He and his mother left for the US in the late 40s. His father was a soldier there in Germany and was killed. So much sad family history.
Cool but sunny. Our 2km limit was increased to 5km today. Went on a nice walk this morning. Have a great day!
Yvonne, thankk you and yes, I know what´s in there :-)
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Bill, that´s a sad story.
Weird, too. At one time people have to flee from Germany, a couple of years later they flee into this country.
To tomatoe-sauce!
God bless your grandma for that difficult decision, Iris. Your story brings "Sophie's Choice" to mind.
Crabby tomatoes - I love your description, as well as what you did with them. You're a very inventive cook. I don't waste food either; 99% of the time I find a way to use up leftovers and fresh foods that wil turn bad soon.
Happy T-Day! Eileen xx
What a fascinating family story! I've never had tea with licorice in it, but I love spearmint tea. Happy T Tuesday!
Licorice and spearmint sound like a great combination for tea. I love growing my own mint but I have yet to grow licorice.
Such a great way to use your tomatoes. I hate throwing food away as well.
Happy Tea Day,
Kate
Terrific lion picture ~ I'm glad you found a solution to the sad tomato ~ Happy T day!
The first time I ever grew a tomato, I picked it and put it on my window ledge. And I just couldn't bear to eat it! It became more and more shriveled until I had to throw it out. I'm better about that now.
Isn't it fun to experiment with a recipe and see what happens? I love the idea of the other spices in the catsup. It sounds good!
Great to see that nothing wasted. Lovely sketch.
Eileen, what a horrible story, I didn´t know it, but it reminds me of "Life is beautiful".
:-) Is so wish my Mum could read your comment, according to her I cannot cook! Zhank and a happy day for you xx
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Divers and Sundry the tea is one of the yummiest I have!
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Kate, I´ll try to grow herbs - when the weather is up, at the moment it´s still really cold.....
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creativeseconds, Henry and his family say thank you :-)
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Jeanie you really call it "catsup"?! Funny!
Oh, that tomato had a long life then at least ;-)
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Magiceye, thank you and yes, I just made pizza sauce yesterday!
Hi Iris, That was a great way to use up those grumpy Tomatoes, my husband makes pasta sauce with them.
That's such a sad story but how lucky was your Mum not to get on that boat.
Have you seen the dark red tomatoes? our friend bought them and thought they weren't ripe so left them until they shriveled, a friend told her they were a different variety!!
Have a good weekend
Jan x
Thanks to Jamie Oliver I know about different sorts of tomatoes :-)
Yesterday I made Pizza-sace from some. Turned out good! Despite I had my Bro on the phone, LOL.
Yes, lucky story with my Mum...
To a great day, Iris x
Your tomatoes ketchup looks so good Iris, my son would eat it all on... everything, not like me jaja. I love tomatoes, but better fresh with salt and olive oil, or in a saldad.
Wish you spent a lovely T-day. Your lion is very beautiful and your drawins, of course, are amazing.
Have a nice afternoon, stay safe and big hugs,
Caty
Your tale of using sad tomatoes to make ketchup reminded me of the time my Mum made some - before the days of freezers - she filled some bottles. One day we heard loud noises from the pantry (walk in food cupboard - they had exploded all over the white walls - lovely aroma though!!! Love the 'quick sketch'! The Lion Kids sign is fabulous isn't it! Belated Happy T Day! Chrisx
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